If you are looking for cheap moving boxes in Oakland, you’ve probably started thinking about a number of different places where you might get some. Without moving boxes the process of making your way into a new home will become decidedly trickier. Below are five places to get cheap moving boxes for your upcoming move (we saved the best option for last). You may be tempted by free moving boxes, but keep in mind free often comes with a price. Our real cost examples below are based on a 2 bedroom home.

1) Big Box Store

Big box stores are where you can find a range of multiple sized cardboard boxes, often ideal for heavy items or blankets. Big box stores are, as their name suggests, big. This means that the customer service available to you is limited compared to smaller, local companies. To find the right box set, you would have to visit the big box stores and search around the warehouse, comparing prices and sizes. You can search lowes moving boxes, home depot moving boxes, and walmart moving boxes. With these big box stores, you are going to find it challenging to get the appropriate number of boxes for your 1-bedroom home. The biggest con here is that the big box store often sells in bulk orders, or at the very least, larger orders than are necessary for a 1-bedroom home which means you will be left with unused boxes and out the cost.

The real cost for this includes the time spent, the actual cost of boxes, the hassle, the cleanup required, and the things you need to purchase.

Real cost for this option: $171

2) Grocery Store Dumpster

Every day grocery stores receive shipments of boxed goods in cardboard boxes from around the globe. In many cases, these boxes are carrying other boxed materials such as boxes of cereal or coffee filters, which means they are not exposed to raw food particles or sticky messes left behind by a box of fruit or vegetables. With that said, one option for finding cheap moving boxes is to visit your local grocery store dumpster and look for used boxes. If you ask the management, they will often provide you with the boxes they have to throw out for free anyway. But then the burden falls upon you to dig through their dumpster in search of the now-folded boxes which are not covered in trash residue and are clean enough for your household goods. The con with using a grocery store dumpster is not just that the boxes may be unclean, but the boxes come in a variety of shapes supportive of wrapped goods which means they may not have properly fitting tops or even the right side paneling to keep your household goods covered. If you get stuck with bad boxes, you have to try a new grocery store, which means you have to repeat the process all over again.

The real cost for this includes the time spent, the actual cost of boxes, the hassle, the cleanup required, and the things you need to purchase.

Real cost for this option: $121

3) U-Haul Store

U-Haul stores are one place to purchase moving materials including moving boxes, but in most cases the price you are paying for the moving boxes is prohibitively expensive, and it only goes up with box size. The basic boxes afforded are generally one or two sizes which means you have no box options available for things such as wardrobe items or heavier books. The U-Haul stores may not have what you need which means you have to travel to several stores just to see what they have in stock. When you add up the time and money, it can be foreboding. The biggest con here is the price.

The real cost for this includes the time spent, the actual cost of boxes, the hassle, the cleanup required, and the things you need to purchase.

Real cost for this option: $170

4) Craigslist Ads

Some people who have already gone through the ordeal of a move might sell their used boxes on a Craigslist Ad, or give them away for free. In such cases you not only have to research online to find the right ads, but you likely won’t have many pictures with which to judge the quality of the boxes. This means you have to contact the seller, arrange an appointment, and verify yourself whether the boxes are a good fit. In such cases, the biggest con is the risk that the boxes won’t work for you. After a move, most people will break down cardboard boxes and throw them in a garage, outdoor shed, or another less than hygienic place in their home.  Aside from any existing dirt on these boxes, you also then have to worry about dust buildup from sitting in storage and bedbugs. If you get stuck with bad boxes, it is now up to you to get rid of them.

The real cost for this includes the time spent, the actual cost of boxes, the hassle, the cleanup required, and the things you need to purchase.

Real cost for this option: $129

5) Rent Plastic Moving Boxes

Plastic moving boxes are, as the name suggests, made out of plastic which means they are not susceptible to damage from inclement weather, stacking after packed, or from hit . Unlike the cardboard box options presented above, when you rent the plastic moving boxes from ZippGo Moving Boxes they arrive already set up so you don’t have to waste time putting them together. They stack nicely on top of one another so you don’t have to worry about them breaking while you move. They are weather resistant, so your goods are safe. There are different box sizes so you can fit all of your household goods in the appropriately sized boxes after which the lids simply snap in place. You avoid the hassle of taping it shut or finding that missing permanent marker to write out a list of where that box belongs in the new home. When you are moved and unpacked, the moving box rental company will simply pickup the boxes from your new home. You don’t have to worry about any moving box related cleanup. ZippGo will pickup your Oakland moving boxes once you’ve moved and unpacked so you can relax and enjoy your new home.

The real cost for this includes the time spent, the actual cost of renting the boxes, the hassle, the cleanup required, and the things you need to purchase.

Real cost for this option: $99

About The Author

ZippGo offers moving boxes Oakland residents can get delivered to their door without spending a lot of money. Our packages start at just $69 for our 1 bedroom package and we offer packages for under $200 for a 4 bedroom home. Our plastic moving boxes are strong, durable, and water-proof and we offer next day free delivery. We also offer green moving supplies such as packing paper, wardrobe boxes, bubble wrap alternative Greenwrap, and lifting straps.